Leaf spring setup?

[user unrelated]

Hello! I am fairly new to anything that isn't my CC-01 (love that thing!)
And I recently picked up an old tired Tamiya High-Lift chassis for a steal of a price.
It needed the rear suspension components, so it sat for a while, as I didn't have much money to get it going.
I just bought some of the RC4wd soft red leafs, super-lift leaf blocks, and I have the shackles I need for the rear coming in one of these days (I fabbed up some terrible ones just for now)

I opted to go for oil filled shocks, instead of buying a new set of the stock grease units (the truck only came with 2 stock dampers)
So I am using Associated Buggy rear FT shocks, with #1 pistons (biggest holes), and 25wt oil. I don't have any springs on them, and hoped to keep it that way.

The only problem comes now, from the super soft leaf springs.
The stock springs were, of course, pretty stiff. And even though I didn't have the rear springs or anything to determine what the overall feel would be, I opted for the soft springs, because I had heard that many people felt the stock springs were much too stiff.

Now, flash to today, I finally got my package from RC4wd, and got the truck fixed up with all 4 wheels on it for the first time since I got it!
and...
Looks good!

oh.

This is without a battery, without the multifunction control unit (which I have, and plan on adding), and without a body. With all that extra stuff, I feel like the suspension is never going to pick itself up and actually do anything.

I have never owned a leaf-sprung truck before, I don't really know what I can do to remedy this issue.

Also, even though the truck has much softer suspension, I feel like it doesn't have nearly the amount of articulation that it should... Are there any modifications I could do to get a bit more articulation? (I'm not expecting 4-link style flex here, I just would like a tad bit more than the VERY LITTLE that I am getting)

Thanks, guys!

 

[1BadJeepBruiser]

Your going to need to add more leafs to the pack, especially if your going to have all that weight. Personally, I think the super soft leafs are gonna be to soft for your set up. I would run the stock leafs with a chino mod (search) and loose the shoulder bolts and use stripped off 12 gauge wire insulation and regular 3mm bolts

 

[twb4525]

Your going to need to add more leafs to the pack, especially if your going to have all that weight. Personally, I think the super soft leafs are gonna be to soft for your set up. I would run the stock leafs with a chino mod (search) and loose the shoulder bolts and use stripped off 12 gauge wire insulation and regular 3mm bolts

x2. yes, run a couple more leafs.

 

[user unrelated]

I got an idea from someone else that might be a decent solution for me.
I like the look of the red springs, and I don't want to have to buy more leafs ($30 is enough for me!) plus I only have 2 stock leafs, and they are beat to hell and all cruddy.
I am going to look into running internal springs in my shocks. I am thinking that maybe springs from losi mini oil shocks will work good. And I can get sets for the mini sprint, which has all 4 springs the same length!
I will also try and do that chino mod, too. I had seen that around somewhere but couldn't remember exactly what it entailed.

Thanks!

EDIT: losi mini springs are too wide. The hunt begins

 

[viet]

I got an idea from someone else that might be a decent solution for me.
I like the look of the red springs, and I don't want to have to buy more leafs ($30 is enough for me!) plus I only have 2 stock leafs, and they are beat to hell and all cruddy.
I am going to look into running internal springs in my shocks. I am thinking that maybe springs from losi mini oil shocks will work good. And I can get sets for the mini sprint, which has all 4 springs the same length!
I will also try and do that chino mod, too. I had seen that around somewhere but couldn't remember exactly what it entailed.

Thanks!

EDIT: losi mini springs are too wide. The hunt begins

Here's a link to the chino mod: http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/scale-accessories/19331-scale-tricks-thread-2.html#post443924

 

[Fallguycrawler]

i know this is an old thread but i recently built a high lift chassis. i am thinking of doing the chino mod. how did it work out for those who did it? i too like the red leafs but they look too long for the highlift. i see a few people moving the shackles.